Must I jump through these hoops??

I have not been online writing in over a month now. This has definitely been a patch of time where I have been consumed by.... demands, rules, hoops, love, disappointment.... well in a nutshell.. life! It has been a tremendous test of my ever growing patience and learning to be true to myself. What a great challenge this has been and one that will not be soon forgotten.

Since 2009 began, I have been faced with obstacles and opportunities to make myself grow and expand my way of thinking in a manner that I would have never thought of before. When you get these kind of opportunities it is all in how you approach it that makes the world of difference for your overall experience. And let me just say I have had to put on a whole new 'pair of glasses' on to view things in the new country I call home :) Sometimes, I just would rather close my eyes actually... Ok no it isn't that bad. But when you are in a new culture, new surroundings you must take the time to learn the nuances of your new environment indeed.

Ever since I landed in the Netherlands it has been one challenge after another.. from my work papers being approved, being compensated fairly, learning a new language, getting use to the 'smokers' of Europe, proving that my education is indeed just as good as theirs, that I am not another obnoxious American( although when provoked..... I can be :), learning the train systems after getting off on the wrong stop many a times.. that was fun, and the latest one.. proving to be good enough to join one of my professional organizations in the country. The list can go on and on and the experiences will never end I am sure. But what I have so appreciated out of all of these hoops that I have felt like I had to jump, are those that have supported me the entire way. The ones that are my champions sitting in the corner cheering me on that I can make a difference and get through all of this. That has been surprisingly unexpected but much appreciated. I could not have done it without them present near and far. I am in a constant awe some days to wonder where this support of people has really come from, they are my guardian angels here on earth.

Even though I have not been much of a rule follower all my life and pretty much don't intend to change that now either:) I have learned some lessons. My biggest lesson is to choose the hoops that I jump through and make sure it is what I indeed want to do for no one else but myself. For at the end of the day it matters how I feel about what I have done and in turn what I contribute to the world and in what way I choose to do that.

I have a tremendous amount of gratitude, love and respect for all of my new and old friends, loved ones and most of all the new country I call home. For I am getting the opportunity to learn so much more about life and myself that I could not have done in any other fashion.

In love and gratitude,

Asha